Electricity

Question 1

Define: static electricity

Answer 1

Static electricity is a build up of electrons that is not moving (static)

Question 2

How does static electricity occur?

Answer 2

Friction transforms energy, allowing the electrons to jump to the surface of another object

Question 3

Define: electricity

Answer 3

The movement of electrons from one atom to the next

Question 4

Define: conductor

Answer 4

Within conductors, electrons move quickly as they have valence electrons that are not tightly bound

Question 5

Define: insulator

Answer 5

Within insulators, electrons require large amounts of energy to move as their valence electrons are tightly bound

Question 6

Define: semiconductor

Answer 6

Semiconductors share properties of insulators and conductors. The amount of resistance in semiconductors can be changed by adding light, heat or small quantities of other elements

Question 7

List three examples of conductors

Answer 7

silver, aluminium, copper

Question 8

List three examples of insulators

Answer 8

rubber, plastic, ceramic

Question 9

List two examples of semiconductors

Answer 9

germanium, silicon

Question 10

Define: electric current

Answer 10

A measure of the number of electrons that flow in a given time

Question 11

Define: potential difference

Answer 11

A measure of how much energy is in the current and can be used

Question 12

What units is the electrical current measured in?

Answer 12

Amps (A)

Question 13

What units is the potential different measured in?

Answer 13

Volts (V)

Question 14

Define: ammeter

Answer 14

Measures current (amps)

Question 15

Define: voltmeter

Answer 15

Measures potential difference (volts)

Question 16

Define: multimeter

Answer 16

Measures both current and potential difference

Question 17

Define: resistance

Answer 17

A measure of how easy it is for electrons to flow through part of a circuit

Question 18

What is resistance measured in?

Answer 18

Ohms (Ω)

Question 19

State Ohm’s Law

Answer 19

Resistance is equal to volts divided by amps (V=R/I)

Question 20

Define: Rheostat:

Answer 20

(also called a variable resistor), A coil of resistance wire with a metal contact that can be moved to change to amount of resistance.

Question 21

Define: Fuse wire

Answer 21

A wire that melts when a current limit is exceeded

Question 22

Define: power

Answer 22

A measure of how fast energy is transformed. Power is measured in watts (W). Each watt represents one joule of energy per second.

Question 23

State the formula for power

Answer 23

P=V*I